A Federal Strategic Action Plan on Immigrant & Refugee
Integration
The White House Task Force on
New Americans
April 2015 http://goo.gl/TCkrBk
Teacher Jennifer: Tears of pride and new ideas abound as I read this report. As an Adult School ESL/Citizenship Teacher, pages 44-46 are especially relevant. Read the whole report, then get to work!
This Friday through Sunday, thousands of people around the United States are gathering at schools, parks and community centers to help out with Big Sunday, a volunteer effort that started on a Sunday but has expanded to three days every year. VOA's Mike O’Sullivan reports.
Originally published at http://www.voanews.com/media/video/volunteers-help-communities-big-sunday/2743625.html
USCIS 100:55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy?
▪ vote
▪ join a political party
▪ help with a campaign
▪ join a civic group
▪ join a community group
▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue
▪ call Senators and Representatives
▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy
▪ run for office
▪ write to a newspaper
VOA Learning English: The 25 Most Popular Cities to Visit in America
Big cities and small historic towns top the list of most popular places to visit in America, according to the travel site TripAdvisor. Millions of users voted New York City, Chicago, and Charleston, South Carolina as the top three cities to visit in the U.S. Here's a look at all 25 cities! (read more)
Many applicants stumble on the Citizenship Interview Question: Explain how you are eligible to become a US Citizen. Milpitas Adult School Citizenship students collaborated via Google Drive to practice this very important question.
One woman describes her journey from invisible to visible.
For several years, Rama was virtually invisible to the outside world.
In 2003, she was sold by her late husband's family in southern India to work for a doctor in California. She was effectively housebound, working without pay for more than three years, with no real idea where she was.
"Every day I would hear, 'You don't have papers, we could do anything to you,'" she says.
She was eventually able to escape, working a series of other jobs below minimum wage in other doctors' homes for a few more years.
In 2012, she got help from the South Asian Network, or SAN. That's when she was able to get her T Visa, for victims of trafficking. Listen to the full story:
Authorities worldwide are fighting human trafficking rings that exploit migrants and force young women into prostitution. The U.S. Justice Department estimates that one in four women trafficked in the United States passes through Houston, Texas, at some point because it is an international and domestic
America's story-telling tradition is as old as our nation itself.
And as a nation of immigrants, those stories are rich and diverse. Whether you've recently embarked on your first day as an American or want to share how your ancestors came to arrive here, telling your story will help promote a sense of inclusiveness and understanding.
We'll promote these stories across White House channels, and compile them in a memo to the President as a follow-up to the Task Force's Action Plan.
In honor of Earth Day 2011 and in celebration of the new USPS GO GREEN Forever stamp series, US Citizenship Podcast presents a collection of stamps reflecting America's ongoing commitment to make EARTH DAY, EVERY DAY!
USCIS 100: 55. What are two ways that Americans can participate in their democracy? ▪ vote ▪ join a political party ▪ help with a campaign ▪ join a civic group ▪ join a community group ▪ give an elected official your opinion on an issue ▪ call Senators and Representatives ▪ publicly support or oppose an issue or policy ▪ run for office ▪ write to a newspaper
wh.gov: The New Americans Project
We can make every American feel welcome — and make our communities stronger in the process.
New Americans
Find a volunteer opportunity to learn more about your community and life in the United States. Many Americans volunteer a few hours each week or month with a local school, place of worship, neighborhood association, hospital or other organizations. Become a volunteer and help America!
Support the New Americans Project by helping immigrants and newcomers learn English, learn about America, and settle in the United States. Use the search box below to find an opportunity to teach an English class, teach American history and civics, or help an immigrant settle in his or her new community.
This week, the President wrapped up a trip to Panama, held a historic meeting with President Raul Castro of Cuba, grooved with Gospel artists, held a town hall about working families, and kicked off a Wounded Warrior Soldier Ride. That's April 10th to April 16th or, "The Quintessential Sounds."
Huang Yanli practices for her Citizenship Interview. She is answering questions from uscitizenpod's A “Typical” Citizenship Interview Based on the USCIS N-400r (4 pages) http://goo.gl/9Z97UK
The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln 150 years ago changed the course of U.S. history. As Julie Taboh reports, museums and historic institutions across the country are featuring special exhibits, plays and musical performances to commemorate that seminal event on April 14, 1865.
USCIS 100:72. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1800s.
▪ War of 1812
▪ Mexican-American War
▪ Civil War
▪ Spanish-American War
USCIS 100:73. Name the U.S. war between the North and the South.
▪ the Civil War
▪ the War between the States
USCIS 100:74. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
▪ slavery
▪ economic reasons
▪ states’ rights
USCIS 100:75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*
▪ freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
▪ saved (or preserved) the Union
▪ led the United States during the Civil War
USCIS 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
▪ freed the slaves
▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy
▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states
▪ freed slaves in most Southern states
Every four years Americans go to the polls in November to pick a president. Americans will elect the next president in November of 2016. Although the election is still more than a year away, candidates have been announcing they are running. The candidates will compete in caucuses and primaries.
“I’m running for president." Hillary Clinton kicks off her anticipated campaign for the presidency with a video posted on YouTube. With her second run for the White House, the former first lady and Secretary of State is hoping to become the first female president of the United States.
About the U.S.A. is an American Studies reader that examines the customs, government, and history of the United States of America. The text provides a wealth of information on U.S. geography and history; the roles of local, state, and federal government; national holidays and symbols; the Constitution; and citizenship. The book, which was written for intermediate to advanced learners of English, contains a range of activities for language students to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Jennifer and Huyen interviews Triet about his Citizenship Interview in English and Vietnamese. The students ask him some questions about the interview and then have a party to celebrate his success. Chúc Mừng!
Religious freedom laws sponsored by opponents of same-sex marriage in Indiana, Arkansas and other states have recently triggered fierce protests from gay rights groups that have led lawmakers to roll back some of the legislation. But as VOA religion correspondent Jerome Socolovsky reports, the fight over religious liberty goes back to the founding of the republic.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/2705171.html
VOA Learning English: Religious Freedom Acts Raise Controversy in US
Indiana and Arkansas recently passed – then considered changing – religious freedom laws. Nineteen other states have such laws to protect religious minorities. However, the new laws expand some religious protections to organizations. Some say the laws threaten the civil rights of homosexuals.--read and listen to the story then take the quiz!
USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?
▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.
Host Carol Castiel and VOA Congressional Correspondent, Cindy Saine, talk with first - term Congresswoman Alma Adams, a Democrat, from the state of North Carolina, about her legislative priorities (education and jobs), thoughts about the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, her reaction to the Justice Department’s investigation into the Ferguson, MO police department and the state of race relations in America.
Teacher Jennifer interviews Khone (Vientiane, Laos)
Intermediate Citizenship Interview pdf at http://goo gl RGm3Ve.
More Citizenship interview available at uscitizenpod's N-400 practice page http://goo.gl/2aOS5m.
The U.S. Capitol Dome in Washington, DC, is recognized world-wide as one of the most enduring symbols of the U.S. government and American democracy. Since last November, the dome has been wrapped in metal scaffolding and fabric as part of a long-overdue renovation project. VOA’s Jeff Custer reports.
Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/us-capitol-dome-being-restored/2675849.html
The First Family traveled to Selma, Alabama to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the marches from Selma to Montgomery, and to celebrate the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Also watch:
Here are highlights from President Obama’s March 7 speech in Selma, Alabama, marking the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” - a peaceful voting rights march that ended with police beating and tear-gassing marchers. Watch the full speech http://youtu.be/gvAIvauhQGQ
U.S. President Barack Obama and former president George W. Bush participated Saturday in the 50th anniversary observance of the beating of peaceful civil rights demonstrators by police in Selma, Alabama. The incident came to be known as "Bloody Sunday." The anniversary served as an opportunity to reflect on a half-century of civil rights progress. As VOA's Marcus Harton reports, it was also an occasion to take stock of inequality that continues to exist.
DREAMers share with President Obama their stories about the programs Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA).
Thousands of people will gather to mark the 50th anniversary of a historic civil rights march on March 7th in the small southern U.S. city of Selma, Alabama. In 1965, dozens of people were seriously injured during the event known as “Bloody Sunday,” after police attacked African-American demonstrators demanding voting rights. VOA’s Chris Simkins introduces us to some civil rights pioneers who are still fighting for voting rights in Alabama more than 50 years later.
US Citizenship Podcast: 2015 USCIS 100 Questions Remix
mp3 http://goo.gl/Dn8htD
First you will hear first set of ten questions only (1, 11, 21 ...91); next, you will hear the set of questions with the most popular answer. Then you will hear the next set of ten questions.
A new Arizona state law requires high school students to pass the same exam new citizens take. Virginia debated but did not pass a similar bill. Supporters want Americans to become more involved in civic life. But some question whether civic education and tests will have that effect. read more; download mp3
Happy Women's History Month! During the month of March, US Citizenship Podcast will explore the connection between the USCIS History and Government questions and the history of American Women. Let's get started!
There are three parts of the USCIS Citizenship interview:
1) English Speaking/Listening: the applicant must orally answer question based on the N-400r Application for Naturalization.
2) Civics Test: the applicant must answer 6 out 10 questions correctly based on the USCIS 100 Civics/History questions.
3) Reading/Writing test: the USCIS officer will give the applicant 1 sentence to read, then will dictate an answer. The applicant must read and write 1 out 3 sentences correctly.
There is no official USCIS list of the reading/writing sentences BUT there is a official vocabulary list.
For more information about the Reading and Writing Vocabulary list for the U.S. Citizenship Test, go to http://goo.gl/9EMKTe
There has been a surge of interest in the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and '60s, thanks in part to the Hollywood motion picture "Selma." Five decades later, communities in the South are embracing the dark chapters of their past with hopes of luring tourism dollars. VOA's Chris Simkins reports. Originally published at - http://www.voanews.com/media/video/southern-cities-preserve-civil-rights-heritage-tourism/2662253.html